Wednesday marked the third annual St. Mary’s College Relay for Life fundraiser for cancer research.
The event began with a moving and inspirational speech by Mikayla Krezek, an SMC graduate and cancer survivor.
While in Grade 10, Krezek was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, an aggressive cancer that affects white blood cells.
“Never did I think my whole life would change in one phone call. I knew when I saw the look in my mom's eyes that something was wrong,” Krezek said, recalling the day she was diagnosed with cancer.
Krezek held a string of beads, each bead representing a treatment she received while at SickKids, including a spinal tap, blood work, X-rays and chemotherapy treatments.
“I would have never been able to do it without so much support from my friends and family. I not only wanted to share my story today, but touch on the fact of how many people's lives are affected by cancer every single day.
"As much as I went through it, so did my parents, siblings, and friends. Coming here today and seeing all these people is truly incredible and inspiring. Relay for Life is so important because it brings communities together to honour cancer survivors,” she said.
Graduating from SMC in 2024 and now a first-year student in Sault College’s Bachelor of Science Nursing program, Krezek urged attendees to remember family members and friends lost to cancer, honour cancer survivors and raise funds for cancer research.
“It's more than just a walk. It's a powerful reminder that no one fights cancer alone,” Krezek said.
SMC students, staff, cancer survivors and members from the wider community took turns walking laps around the school’s track to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society to continue its research, advocacy and support programs.
The relay began at 10 a.m. and was scheduled to last until 10 p.m.
Krezek and other cancer survivors led the way with a survivors' lap.
“I wouldn't be in nursing if it wasn't for what I went through. Now I just want to give back and do what those nurses at the hospital did for me. They didn't treat me like a sick patient. They treated me like I was a normal teenage girl,” Krezek told SooToday.
After five months of treatment that included chemotherapy at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Krezek was informed by doctors that her cancer had gone into remission.
“It was the best day of my life,” Krezek said.
She shared an encouraging message for those currently battling cancer and their family members.
“My favourite thing to say is you truly are stronger than you think if you just have a good support system and people who are going to truly be there for you.
"You will be OK even if it doesn't feel like it. I didn't think I could do it, but you can.”
This year’s SMC Relay for Life fundraising goal was $45,000.
More than $72,000 had been raised as of 10 a.m. Wednesday with more donations coming in.
A team of students led by teachers organized the event.
Donations, including those made online came from students, their families, teachers and local businesses.
The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board announced Thursday that $105,326.04 in donations had been raised for this year's Relay for Life.